Georgia. Governor Brian P. Kemp’s rural economic development strategy is yielding major results for hardworking Georgians in communities all across the Peach State. In a recent ranking conducted by economic development and corporate real estate magazine, Site Selection, seven rural counties (Appling, Bacon, Dodge, Elbert, Franklin, Hart, and Union) in Georgia earned a spot in the top 50 performing non-metro communities across the nation with two Georgia counties placing in the top five. Site Selection accredits this success in part due to Georgia’s business-friendly environment, and more specifically to the spirit of collaboration between local communities and the state and the Rural Strike Team that Governor Kemp launched in 2019. One of the communities that was recognized in the top to is Alma, Georgia, which has landed five qualifying projects, including La Regina di San Marzano’s new tomato sauce plant and Inflex’s new plastics plant. These two plants are projected to create approximately 350 jobs and invest nearly $30 million into the area.[1]; Denkai America, the only North American manufacturer of high-quality electrodeposited (ED) copper foil used in printed electronics, will locate its new manufacturing facility and North American Headquarters in Richmond County. The company’s initial investment will be $150 million to establish an ED copper foil production facility, with a focus on electric vehicle (EV) battery foil, on a 115-acre site, with a goal to invest a total of $430 million and create 250 new jobs over the next five years. Construction is expected to begin in September 2022 as the first part of a three-phase investment, and the facility will be fully operational by December 2024. The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) partnered with the Augusta Economic Development Authority, Georgia Power, and Georgia Quick Start on this project.[2]
Kentucky. Purem by Eberspaecher celebrated the opening of the automotive supplier’s new Louisville operation, which is expected to create close to 250 quality jobs and will serve as the company’s seventh site in the United States. Purem by Eberspaecher is a subsidiary of the Esslingen-based Eberspaecher Group. To achieve clean and quiet mobility, around 7,100 employees develop and produce exhaust and acoustic systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and off-road vehicles. The technologies make a significant contribution to meeting the strictest emission standards and noise guidelines. Currently, more than 525 automotive-related facilities operate in Kentucky, including four original equipment manufacturers. The sector employs 100,000 people statewide. KEDFA preliminarily approved an incentive agreement with the company under the KBI program. The performance-based agreement can provide tax incentives based on the company’s investment and annual job-creation and wage targets. By meeting its annual targets over the agreement term, the company can be eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates. The company may claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments. Additionally, Purem by Eberspaecher can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers. Those include no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives.[3]; Henry County and the cities of Henderson, Pikeville and Monticello have received $13 million to support job growth and industrial expansion in their communities. The awards are funded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $300 million Coal Communities Commitment program, which supports coal communities as they recover from the pandemic and helps them create new jobs and opportunities, including through the expansion of new industry sectors, and their American Rescue Plan Economic Adjustment Assistance program, which makes $500 million in Economic Adjustment Assistance grants available to American communities. This money will go towards the Henry County Sanitary Sewer System, Pikeville Agritech Center, and the Monticello Natural Gas Line. The Monticello Natural Gas Line project will be matched with $2.3 million in local funds and is expected to create or retain 254 jobs and generate $30,000 in private investment. The Pikeville Agritech Center project will be matched with $5.75 million in local funds. It aims to promote job growth by bringing innovative industry to the area while enhancing educational opportunities for UPIKE students. The Henry County sanitary Sewer System project will provide the sewage infrastructure needed to support a major, new bourbon distillery and other business needs in the area. This EDA grant will be matched with $393,320 in local funds and is expected to create 80 jobs and generate $100 million in local investment.[4]; Beam Suntory will expand the capacity of Jim Beam Brands Co. with a $400 million investment that will create more than 50 full-time jobs at the Booker Noe Distillery in Boston. This investment adds to recent bourbon and spirits growth throughout the commonwealth. Since the start of the Beshear administration, Kentucky’s spirits industry has announced more than 50 new-location or expansion projects totaling over $1.1 billion in planned investments and creating more than 900 announced full-time jobs. KEDFA preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the KBI program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $3 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of up to $436.4 million and annual targets of: (i) creation and maintenance of 51 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 15 years; and (ii) paying an average hourly wage of $51 including benefits across those jobs. Additionally, KEDFA approved Beam Suntory for up to $550,000 in tax incentives through the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA).[5]; O-I Glass Inc. will invest $239 million toward a new glass bottle manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, creating 140 high-wage jobs for Kentucky residents. The project will be the first of its kind to use a new technology, known as Modular Advanced Glass Manufacturing Asset (MAGMA), to increase overall speed and efficiency in the manufacturing process. The company received a 10-year KEDFA agreement under the KBI program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $4 million in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of over $239.3 million and annual targets of: (i) creation and maintenance of 140 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years; and (ii) paying an average hourly wage of $43 including benefits across those jobs. The company is also approved for up to $1 million in tax incentives through the KEIA.[6]; Hydro Aluminum Metals USA LLC, a producer of recycled aluminum products, will invest $15 million and retain up to 56 full-time employees at its Henderson plant. KEDFA preliminarily approved the company for up to $1 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Reinvestment Act (KRA) based on the company’s investment of at least $8.8 million and retention of up to 56 full-time jobs at an average hourly wage of $49.80, excluding benefits. KRA is designed to help companies make significant capital investments to become more competitive, retain employment and increase productivity and efficiency. The company may also claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability assessments.[7] Accuride Corp., a manufacturer of wheels, wheel ends and braking components for commercial and passenger vehicles, will upgrade its facility in Henderson County. KEDFA preliminarily approved a 10-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) program which can provide up to $250,000 in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of more than $2 million and annual targets of creation and maintenance of 15 Kentucky-resident, full-time jobs across 10 years, and paying an average hourly wage of $39, including benefits, across those jobs. Accuride Corp. is eligible to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates by meeting its annual targets over the agreement term. The company may also claim eligible incentives against its income tax liability and/or wage assessments. In addition, Accuride can receive resources from Kentucky’s workforce service providers including no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job-training incentives. The $2 million project is expected to create 15 jobs.[8]
Louisiana. BASF announced a final investment decision on a $780 million project to double production capacity at its chemical manufacturing complex in Ascension Parish, marking the beginning of the third and final phase of an expansion plan announced in 2018. Counting all three expansion phases and other site investments, BASF will retain more than 1,000 existing jobs and add 37 new direct jobs with average annual salaries from $86,600 to $105,600 per year, plus benefits. LED estimates that the total project plan will result in 147 new indirect jobs, for a total of 184 new jobs in the Capital Region. To secure the final phase of the BASF expansion project, the State of Louisiana offered a competitive incentive package that includes a $1 million Retention and Modernization Tax Credit, to be claimed in equal installments over five years. BASF also is expected to utilize Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption and Quality Jobs programs. Construction will begin this year and is expected to be complete by mid-2025.[9] Bercen, a division of specialty ingredients manufacturer Vertellus, plans to expand its facility in Denham Springs. The company plans to make infrastructure and equipment upgrades to increase production capacity and upgrade the environmental management capabilities for its site. The expansion will begin in August, with completion planned for by the end of the year. The State of Louisiana provided Bercen with a competitive incentive package that includes $250,000 from the Economic Development Award program. The Vertellus company is also expected to utilize the state’s Quality Jobs and Industrial Tax Exemption programs. The $17.5 million project is expected to create 55 jobs.[10]; Aviation Exteriors Louisiana, which has long specialized in the painting of commercial aircraft, plans to add aircraft maintenance and conversion services at its facility in New Iberia. The company will develop a dedicated aircraft maintenance hangar with extensive tooling and equipment for the new services at its base of operations at Acadiana Regional Airport. The State of Louisiana offered Aviation Exteriors a competitive incentive package that includes the services of LED FastStart. In addition, the state offered a performance-based grant of $2 million for upgrades to a 60-year-old aircraft maintenance hangar that the company will lease from the Iberia Parish Airport Authority. The company also plans to participate in the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program. The $2.5 million project is expected to create 100 jobs.[11]
Michigan. Neogen Corporation, a company that develops and markets comprehensive solutions dedicated to food and animal safety, plans to expand its food safety facility in Lansing. The company will construct a 175,000-square-foot, three-story dedicated manufacturing building and will invest in new manufacturing equipment and laboratory equipment for the test and release of products. This project is made possible through close collaboration with the City of Lansing, Lansing Economic Development Corporation, Lansing Economic Area Partnership, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF). The $70 million project is expected to create up to 100 jobs.[12]; Gentex, a manufacturer of high-tech electronics for the auto, aerospace, and fire safety industries, is investing $300 million to expand in Zeeland with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund, creating 500 good-paying jobs. The Michigan Strategic Fund approved the following in support of the project: a $5.5 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant, a $1.89 million Jobs Ready Michigan grant, and a 15-year, 100-percent State Essential Services Assessment exemption valued at $3.8 million. The project contributes to the MEDC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Michigan’s leadership in automotive manufacturing and builds on the state’s work to position itself as the epicenter of autonomous and electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S.[13]
Missouri. EnviCor Enterprises, a privately-held manufacturer of rotationally molded plastic parts, plans to establish operations in Sikeston. The new production facility, the company’s first in the Midwest, will enhance its capabilities to serve a broader geographic footprint and deliver custom-molded products for a wider range of customers. EnviCor used the Missouri Works program, a tool that helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation. The $1.4 million project is expected to create 25 jobs.[14]
North Carolina. Pisgah Laboratories, Inc., a pharmaceutical manufacturer, will add 57 new jobs in Transylvania. The company will invest $55 million to expand its manufacturing product line. The new positions include analysts, technicians, supervisors, and managers, which have an average annual salary of $60,088. Transylvania County’s overall average annual wage is $39,028. The new jobs have the potential to create an annual payroll impact of more than $3.4 million for the region. A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with Pisgah Labs’ expansion. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.[15]; Forza X1, Inc., the builder of an innovative line of electric-powered boats, will invest $10.5 million to establish a new manufacturing plant in McDowell County. The company will create 170 jobs in Marion. Although wages for the new jobs will vary depending on position, the average salary will be $51,047, above the current average wage in McDowell County of $39,071. The state and local area will see an additional impact of more than $8 million each year from the new payroll. Forza X1’s project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG). Over the course of 12 years, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $479.1 million. The agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,367,100, spread over 12 years. Because Forza X1 chose a site in McDowell County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 2, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving $151,900 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities across the state finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business.[16]
Ohio. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the approval of assistance for seven projects set to create 660 new jobs and retain 3,333 jobs statewide. During its monthly meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority (TCA) reviewed economic development proposals brought to the board by JobsOhio and its regional partners. Collectively, the projects are expected to result in more than $39 million in new payroll and spur more than $51.8 million in investments across Ohio. Projects approved by the TCA include:
NORTHEAST
Berkshire Refrigerated Warehousing LLC (Berkshire Refrigerated), Sheffield (Lorain County), expects to create 90 full-time positions, generating $5 million in new annual payroll, as a result of the company’s new project in the village of Sheffield. Berkshire Refrigerated provides non-contract refrigerated warehousing and storage services. The company provides storage for both refrigerated and frozen foods as well as services for processing, preparing, and packaging foods for contracted companies. The TCA approved a 1.462%, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.
NORTHWEST
Motion Controls Robotics Inc. (Motion Controls), Fremont (Sandusky County), expects to create 18 full-time positions, generating $1.2 million in new annual payroll and retaining $4.9 million in existing payroll, as a result of the company’s expansion project in Fremont. Motion Controls manufactures robotic case packing, robotic palletizing, and machine tending; large-scale end-of-line robotic packaging and handling systems; vision-guided systems; robotic simulation; AVG systems; and intelligent robotic systems. The TCA approved a 1.198%, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.
SOUTHEAST
Chillicothe Kenworth LLC and Roadforce Companies LLC (Chillicothe Kenworth), Green Township (Ross County), expects to create 119 full-time positions, generating $7.5 million in new annual payroll and retaining $4.8 million in existing payroll, as a result of the company’s expansion project in Green Township. Chillicothe Kenworth LLC provides installation of value-added parts and accessories to Kenworth and other heavy-duty trucks before delivery to the customer, offering customization options for end users. Roadforce Companies LLC manufactures dump truck bodies for customers. The TCA approved a 1.481%, five-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.
Evans Food Group Ltd., Portsmouth (Scioto County), expects to create 40 full-time positions, generating $1.5 million in new annual payroll and retaining $4.3 million in existing payroll, as a result of the company’s new location project in Portsmouth. Evans Food Group is a manufacturer of snack foods. The Ohio operation focuses on manufacturing of pork rinds. The TCA approved a 1.097%, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.
McWane Inc., Coshocton (Coshocton County), expects to create 50 full-time positions, generating $2.6 million in new annual payroll and retaining $31.6 million in existing payroll, as a result of the company’s expansion project in Coshocton. At its facility in Coshocton, McWane manufactures ductile iron piping used in underground infrastructure, as well as utility poles that are in demand in hazard-prone areas, i.e., wildfire, and hurricanes. The TCA approved a 1.372%, six-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.
SOUTHWEST
REV4 LLC, Cincinnati (Hamilton County), expects to create 43 full-time positions, generating $4.7 million in new annual payroll, as a result of the company’s new project in Cincinnati. REV4 provides staffing and talent services in the analytics, data, and IT fields. The TCA approved a 2.000%, eight-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.
Synchrony Bank, West Chester Township (Butler County), expects to create 300 full-time positions, generating $16.5 million in new annual payroll and retaining $182.5 million in existing payroll, as a result of the company’s new location project in West Chester Township. Synchrony Bank, under the umbrella of Synchrony Financial, is a leading consumer financial services company that specializes in providing customers with a unique set of financing solutions. The company partners with leading retailers, including co-branded and private label credit cards, promotional financing, and CareCredit for medical expenses. The TCA approved a $1.464%, nine-year Job Creation Tax Credit for this project.[17]
South Carolina. SHL Medical, a world-leading provider of drug delivery solutions, will establish operations in Charleston County. The company’s initial $90 million investment will create an estimated 165 new jobs. SHL Medical designs develops and manufactures drug delivery solutions for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies around the world. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $250,000 Set-Aside grant to Charleston County to assist with costs related to the project.[18]
Virginia. AeroFarms, a Certified B Corporation and world leader in indoor vertical farming, will create sixty-six additional new jobs and increase production of freshly-grown leafy greens as part of a major operational expansion of its new vertical farm in Pittsylvania County. This farm, a 138,670 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, is the world’s largest indoor vertical farm of its kind. The new AeroFarms indoor vertical farm in Virginia will distribute primarily to the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast markets with the ability to reach approximately 50 million people located within a day’s drive and over 1,000 retailers. This distribution will build on AeroFarms’ existing relationships with retailers such as Ahold Delhaize, Amazon Fresh, Harris Teeter, The Fresh Market, Weee!, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and Pittsylvania County to secure this project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $33,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which Pittsylvania County will match with local funds. The company is also eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Job Creation Grant program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.[19]; Unilock, North America’s premier manufacturer of concrete interlocking paving stones and segmental wall products, will invest $55.6 million to establish a manufacturing campus in Hanover County. Virginia successfully competed with Georgia and Maryland for the project, which will create 50 new jobs. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Hanover County and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $340,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Hanover County with the project. Funding and services to support Unilock’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.[20]
Wisconsin. Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority announced that developers of affordable multifamily housing projects across Wisconsin will soon receive $32.4 million to help fill financing gaps caused by rising construction costs, interest rate increases, and supply chain delays. In total, 22 developments in 11 counties will provide nearly 1,200 new affordable housing units, not only in urban settings but also in rural communities that struggle to provide housing for working families. WHEDA is the sole administrator for federal and state affordable housing tax credits in Wisconsin. The programs do not subsidize renters; instead, they provide tax incentives through the Internal Revenue Code and the Wisconsin tax code that encourage developers to create affordable housing. In exchange for the tax credits, developers agree to reserve housing units for low- and moderate-income households for at least 30 years. Any remaining units are rented at market rates.[21]; The dairy farmer owners and cheesemakers of Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery opened their new $26 million creamery in Menomonie. WEDC supported the project by offering up to $500,000 in state tax credits to the creamery. The actual amount of tax credits the Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery will receive depends on the amount of capital investment and number of jobs created. The $26.1 million project is expected to create 42 jobs.[22]; Whisker, a self-cleaning litter box manufacturer, is expanding its facility in Juneau. The company will be adding an office to its existing, 62,000-square-foot building, which a 2020 renovation nearly doubled in size, while also constructing an adjacent, 150,000-square-foot warehouse facility. WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $450,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The $10.7 million project is expected to create 150 jobs over the next two years.[23]
[1] https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-07-18/gov-kemp-rural-economic-development-strategy-yields-major-success-seven
[2] https://gov.georgia.gov/press-releases/2022-07-20/gov-kemp-copper-foil-manufacturer-denkai-america-locate-new-manufacturing
[3] https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1420
[4] https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1422
[5] https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1425
[6] https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1426
[7] https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=1424
[8] https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/7-19-2022/accuride-henderson-county-kentucky.shtml
[9] https://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/3758
[10] https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsitems/7-25-2022/bercen-denham-springs-louisiana.shtml
[11] https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsitems/7-25-2022/aviation-exteriors-new-iberia-louisiana.shtml
[12] https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/7-25-2022/neogen-corporation-lansing-michigan.shtml
[13] https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2022/07/26/whitmer-announces-500-new-jobs-as-high-tech-auto-electronics-manufacturer-gentex-expands-in-zeeland
[14] https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/7-27-2022/envicor-enterprises-sikeston-missouri.shtml
[15] https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2022/07/25/pharmaceutical-company-invest-55-million-transylvania-county-expansion
[16] https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2022/07/28/governor-cooper-announces-electric-powered-boat-manufacturer-will-create-170-jobs-mcdowell-county
[17] https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/New-Projects-Expected-to-Create-More-Than-51.8-Million-in-Investments-07252022
[18] https://governor.sc.gov/news/2022-07/shl-medical-establishing-operations-charleston-county
[19] https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2022/july/name-937612-en.html
[20] https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/2022/july/name-937719-en.html
[21] https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIGOV/bulletins/3213e1f
[22] https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsItems/7-21-2022/ellsworth-cooperative-creamery-menomonie-wisconsin.shtml
[23] https://www.areadevelopment.com/newsitems/7-20-2022/whisker-juneau-wisconsin.shtml